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Green in Japan

Here's an imaginative way of preserving valuable green space. This structure (ACROS Fukuoka) in Fukuoka, Japan, rises like a green pyramid out of Tenjin Central Park. Created by designers Emilio Ambasz & Associates, it was conceived as a mountain view at the end of the park. Underneath the mountain lies an exhibition hall, museum, theater, conference facilities, shops, car park and private offices.

It's full of contrasts too. On its street-facing side, it has a conventional facade. From the rear, however, it's a tower of greenliness. When you're inside, you can ride the elevator to its upper floors. But if you're outside, you can get your daily walk or run, by ascending the 14 storeys of shrub-draped terraces. What a great idea. RM